He climbed to his feet. “Of course not.”
She shook his head in confusion. “I can’t. You’re not real.”
“You can,” he urged, smiling. “Because here I am a god.”
“Inside my dream,” she countered.
His smile took on a beatific dimension. “Dreams are a reality within themselves, an astral plane where gods can walk freely and dragons can breathe fire. When you are in the netherworld between waking and sleep, it is all real.”
Spooky. Rationalizing a dream while having—a dream.
Logic need not apply, she thought wryly.
He reached for her again. “If you want to come with me, now is that time.”
Well, hell. Who wouldn’t want to?
Dani lifted her hand. Strong fingers curled around hers. Herakles pulled her to her feet as though she weighed only ounces. “Look behind you now,” he urged, “and you will see.”
Slowly, as if fearing what she would find when she turned, Dani pivoted on her heel. There, behind her was herself; peacefully stretched out in front of the fire, snoring softly in a wine-induced stupor.
Unable to believe her eyes, she looked down. Yes, there was still a body beneath her. She could see feet, legs, a torso, breasts. She raised his hands, clenching her fists. To her own senses she seemed solid enough.
How can I be here… She looked at her sleeping figure. Yet still undisturbed there?
For the first time she noticed Herakles wore clothing, however little. A loincloth covered his groin and leather sandals covered his feet. She, on the other hand, was still very much naked.
“Hey, how come I haven’t got any clothes on? Shouldn’t I be dressed in—” She indicated her nude form. “Something?”
Smirking, Herakles eyed her from head to foot. “Naked is how I like you.” His answer was very much tongue in cheek.
Dani put her foot down. “Clothes, or I stay home.”
He waved a hand. A loincloth solidified around her hips. “Satisfied?”
“My tits,” she prompted. “What do you think of them hanging out?”
He grinned. “I like them very much.” Nevertheless, a brief leather binding settled around her chest. Altogether, the outfit looked like some kind of designer bikini. She was still barefoot, but two out of three wasn’t bad.
“Now we can go.”
Herakles’s merry laugh drew her eyes back to him. He spread his arms as if welcoming her. “Come to me.”
Drawn to him, Dani took a step forward. Herakles’s big figure grew more distant, gesturing, inviting her to follow. What did he really want of her? Dare she follow him?
Herakles gestured again, floating farther away, teasing her to pursue him. Utterly impossible for Dani to resist. She experienced a sense of urgency, of compulsion in his tone. His vanishing figure continued to entice her. Come closer. She found the invitation intriguing. What would she find if he followed? What secrets and mysteries lurked in his world?
Whatever they might be, Dani was determined to find out if she could.
I can do this. Though where the notion came from, she didn’t know. It popped into her mind and she knew as surely as the sun rose in the sky that she could, indeed, follow him. It seemed incredible. And even though she knew she must be dreaming, she felt as though she were wide awake. The beating of her heart, the air she drew into her lungs. How could she be asleep, yet so aware at the same time?
I can only find out if I try.
She took a step forward, then another, gliding through the wall as though it didn’t exist. Before she knew what had happened she was enveloped in waves of pure white light that dazzled around her in the most alarming manner. The rays clutched at her, drawing her into the depths of no return.
For a moment, she felt as though she were rising, expanding toward the ceiling of her apartment, passing through it to touch a far-flung universe. Her soul fluttered on an invisible breeze, a wraith of energy shimmering as lightly as a snowflake in chilly air.
She sensed a male presence beside her. Herakles. He was with her, guiding her.
Suddenly, Dani’s senses shifted and light and sound seemed to fuse, twisting and contorting into an indescribable blending of her pulse and the hot darkness of the sorcerer’s heart. The power she was to embrace was a vast one…endless…eternal.
She panicked, trying to step back, but grasping fingers pulled at her, refusing to let go. She seemed to be traveling at a great speed through a whirling vortex of pure energy.
The end of their travels came as suddenly as they had begun.
7
T he white light abruptly faded.
Dazed and confused, fighting to keep her balance amid the dizziness that made her head swim and her knees wobble, Dani blinked. It took only seconds for her to realize she no longer stood in her own living room. No, this arrangement was nowhere near her modern contemporary arrangement and decor. This was ancient. Way more ancient.
And maybe not even in the same universe.
The chamber she found herself in appeared to be carved out of pure crystal.
“Impossible.”
To convince herself it was real, Dani reached out, touching the nearest wall. Cool and smooth, it felt very solid beneath her fingertips.
Standing beside her, Herakles grinned down at her. “Very possible.” He slid a familiar hand across her shoulder, caressing the nape of her neck. “What do you think?”
Looking every which way, Dani fought to swallow the lump building in her throat. The place was almost too damned awesome for description. The huge multilevel chamber was walled with tall columns supporting a high ceiling. In the exact center of the ceiling was a large circular window that allowed the silvery rays of the sun to bathe the rooms in warm natural illumination. The sun’s light bestowed a strange and elusively luminous quality to the chambers. Instead of a bright glare, the crystal somehow reflected shades of soothing hues. Very peaceful and restful.
“It’s magnificent,” she whispered, as though the sound of her voice would somehow shatter the magnificent illusion.
Pleased, Herakles nodded. “I thought you would like it.”
“I do,” she breathed. “Very much.”
“Good.” He urged her toward a long hallway. “If I am not mistaken, a feast is about to begin.”
With Herakles in the lead, Dani passed into an enclosed court. A hive of activity met them. Men and women lounged, enjoying the lazy languor of the day.
Dani couldn’t help but notice that both sexes were immodestly stripped. Her jaw dropped at the way the people touched and caressed each other, some making outright love.
Her body tensed in familiar remembrance. The thought of Herakles’s cock entering her caused a curious sensation in her belly. The muscles inside her vagina rippled and a honey-like warmth spread between her thighs.
Two women greeted them at the entrance. Barefoot, they were dressed in scanty clothing, brief bindings of material around their breasts and waists. Just like hers. Twins, they were very fair with long blond hair, soft doe-brown eyes and full red lips. Both were lithe with full breasts and hips. Smiling with joy, they moved with the careless grace of young lionesses.
Herakles made the introductions with a smile. “Calliope and Clio.”
Bowing their heads, they simultaneously made a gesture over their hearts.
“Welcome, brother, from your journeys,” Clio greeted in a singsong voice.
“You bring a stranger,” Calliope piped in. A mischievous smile split her lips. “Tell us of your newest love.”
Herakles laughed. “A goddess herself. One who has cast my image in stone. To her I have promised many rewards.”
Another deep bow from the twins.
“An artist of rare talent,” Clio said delightedly. “We bid you welcome to our home. It is an honor to serve you this day.”
Dani smiled in relief, feeling the butterflies in her stomach settle a little. Uncertain of protocol, she said a simple, “Thank you.”
“We’
ve come to be fed.” Slipping one huge arm around her waist, Herakles patted her rear with a sly hand. “My appetites are many this day, most yet unsated. Bring food, bring wine.” He winked down at Dani. “And bring her when she is ready.”
Dani’s brows shot up in surprise. What the fuck? Surely he wasn’t planning to walk off and leave her. This was her dream, damn it. She was supposed to be the one in control.
Apparently things worked differently on Mount Olympus.
“You’re l-leaving me here?” she stammered.
“To be bathed and oiled.” He eyed her from head to toe. “After that, we shall feast. On food—and on each other.” His grin left nothing to the imagination.
Dani hesitated. Having him in her dream was one thing. Having two strange women enter it was another. Maybe now would be the time to wake up. She pinched her cheek, then gave her face a little slap. Ouch! That hurt. As far as she knew she was an incorporeal being, but one still possessing all the sensations of a corporeal being.
Once again logic didn’t seem to apply.
Herakles raised his brows. Everyone looked at her like she’d lost her freaking mind.
She thought about his arrival, their intense lovemaking. The ache between her thighs certainly felt real enough.
Dani drew a long breath, then exhaled. “Ho-kay, I guess I’m always up for a swim.”
Herakles bent, giving her a kiss and a wink. “It’ll be good,” he promised. “Very good. Clio and Calliope will treat you well.” Secure in his control, Herakles padded off like a lion, king of his jungle. He vanished down yet another long corridor.
Dani watched him go. Her dream had taken a curious turn.
Calliope slipped her hand confidently into Dani’s. “Come this way, my lady,” she said pertly.
Clio took her other hand. “So that we may prepare you.”
Dani went acquiescently with the girls, thinking secretly that she wished she were a man, for the twins were the prettiest creatures she’d ever seen. On more than one occasion she’d entertained ideas of a lesbian affair, but had never had the nerve to follow through. What would it be like to be caressed by a woman? She had no doubt the sisters were most skillful in sexual play. Just thinking of their touch, she felt excitement building, imagining how Calliope would suckle and tease her breasts with her tongue or how Clio would nibble at her clit as she pushed her fingers deep into her sex.
The bath chamber held a large oval of clear shimmering water, a buoyant and effulgent cerulean pool beneath a low arched ceiling of bone-white alabaster and floored with blue-veined white marble. The thick and pungent smoke of woody cinnamon-tinged incense eddied over the water. The light from dozens of dark blue crystals flickered like a thousand eyes upon its calm surface, creating a sense of twilight and the impression that one had stepped into a glorious heaven. The soft music of flutes and other stringed instruments drifted in the air, proficiently played by a trio of nubile young men positioned discreetly nearby.
Walking to the pool, Dani saw the water was crystalline, clean and pure. Stripping off the leather bindings covering her breasts and hips, she gazed into it, searching its depths. Acting as a mirror, the pool reflected back her image. Her reflection mesmerized. Forehead high, eyes evenly spaced, straight nose, full lips. Her eyes were a strange hue; green flecked with gold. Her skin was a pale, milky white.
She stood, trying not to shiver, not from cold but from nerves. Of the three, she stood the tallest.
Calliope sensed her tension. She reached out a soothing hand, stroking Dani’s arm in a familiar manner. “Are you ready, to bathe?”
Forcing herself to unclench her teeth and smile, Dani nodded. “Yes, I am. Thank you.”
Taking off her own bindings, Calliope guided her down, descending the stairs that led into the pool. The water wasn’t deep, going only to her knees. A gentle hand on her shoulder guided her to her knees, bringing the water to the height of her breasts. Warm currents vibrated around her.
Clio hovered nearby, holding small silver bowls. When she passed them to Calliope, Dani caught the scent of chamomile and mint. Familiar enough, almost too much so. Her very own brand of shampoo, one that nourished and highlighted blond hair.
Calliope wet her hair, washing it with long mesmerizing strokes of her fingers.
Head dropping back, Dani closed her eyes, relishing the pleasure of a tingling scalp. “God, that feels so good.”
“I’m glad you are pleased. You will be as sweet as a baby’s kiss when we are done with you.” Calliope dunked her head under the water.
Dani came up spluttering and laughing. “I’d much rather have Herakles’s kisses.”
Without a word, Calliope reached out, palming and cupping the weight of Dani’s bare breast. “I see why he finds you so pleasing,” she murmured.
Dani felt her nipples hardening with excitement. Hot breath rasped her lips.
Calliope’s tongue snaked out and circled the delicate bud experimentally. “I, too, know your deepest fantasies.” She suckled softly at the little nubbin, teasing it with soft nips, then drawing on it with sexually charged intent. Her free hand rose, caressing Dani’s other breast.
Dani felt a tremor in her stomach. A shiver of anticipation traveled through her, ushering in that familiar heat of desire. As the sensations of arousal spread through her, her clit began to pulse, to ache with the need to be stroked. Her thighs were taut, the water between her legs sensuously mixing with the liquid warmth flowing from her hungry sex. The muscles deep inside her vagina contracted, waiting for penetration.
Kissing the hollow between Dani’s breasts, Calliope lifted her head, flashing a wicked grin. “Do you enjoy my touch?”
Skin flushing, Dani’s skin suddenly felt too tight to fit over her bones. “Yes.”
Calliope’s hand slid down her belly, fingers sliding between Dani’s legs. Her fingers found the soft petals jealously guarding the tender jewel.
Using only the tip of her finger, she caressed Dani’s clit, whispering, “Let me please you before my brother takes you away from me.” Her finger flicked at the tender tip in a slow but deliberate motion.
Dani could moan her reply. She bit her lip and shuddered when Calliope slowly penetrated her sex.
“Careful,” she warned Calliope between gritted teeth. “I might come right now.” In a bold move, her lips covered Calliope’s, emitting a breathy little moan as her hands clenched a handful of Calliope’s soft hair.
Dani pulled her close, inhaling her clean scent. As a sculptor she loved the soft curves and round plains of a woman’s body. She’d often wanted to explore alternate sexualities. Now she had that chance.
Calliope nibbled at her lips, licking them as though they were as succulent as sun-warmed honey. “I hope you do.” She grinned, delighted.
Dani panted through her mouth, back arching. It was her turn to moan aloud with pleasure. A combination of tranquil warmth and passionate sexual need pulsed throughout her body.
Calliope’s finger slipped in and out of Dani’s clenching sex. At the same time her tongue laved a jutting nipple.
Dani’s hips rocked motion. The friction was almost too much to take. A series of tiny quakes engulfed her, small waves that gradually became frantic convulsions. The agony was so prolonged, so exquisite that she wanted to cry out for faster, deeper, more penetrating thrusts.
An intense rush of liquid heat submerged her without warning, a tidal wave totally beyond her control. Trembling uncontrollably, her hands dug into Calliope’s shoulders. She screamed out as the hard crash of climax swamped her.
The two women remained locked together for a moment, the water lapping at their skin. Calliope’s fingers slid from Dani’s sex. She gave Dani a quick kiss. “You are well pleased, I hope.”
Body shuddering with gratification, Dani drew a breath into thoroughly scorched lungs. “Very pleased,” she panted. Legs shaking, she let Calliope lead her from the pool.
Clio came forward with a thick linen towel to pat
the water from her skin. She smiled. “My turn to attend you.”
Dani nearly swooned. She didn’t know if she could take much more.
Kneeling, Clio began at Dani’s feet and made her way up. An exquisite and sensual feeling to be pampered in such a luxurious way. A soft sigh escaped her parted lips. “This is heaven,” she sighed.
Clio discarded the damp towel. “You are our brother’s chosen. To please you is to please him.” She took Dani’s hand and led her toward a low stone bench. “Sit, please.”
Another woman briefly flitted in, offering a silver chalice perched on a tray. “It is our pleasure to serve,” she said with a bow.
Dani took a sip from the chalice, rolling the rich burgundy wine over her tongue before swallowing. Ah. Just what she needed. She took a larger sip, and then another until the cup was emptied. Thirsty, she didn’t protest when the cup was filled a second, then a third time.
Kneeling, Clio dipped her hand into a small jar and rubbed scented oil into Dani’s skin.
Calliope circled behind her, a pick in her hand to untangle the snarls from Dani’s wet hair. “Perhaps when you are choosing your attendants, you will remember us.” She worked one section at a time until not a tangle was to be found.
Dani smiled agreeably, head spinning a bit from the potent wine. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d eaten a meal. She felt dazed, dizzied, weightless, as if she floating in a pleasant haze. “I didn’t know I was going to be staying that long.”
Clio worked her hands up Dani’s legs, spreading her thighs so that her hooded clit was exposed. “You could stay forever.”
Dani sighed and sipped more wine. “I wish.”
“Wishes can come true,” Calliope hinted coyly.
Clio placed a light kiss on the inside of Dani’s leg. A thrill went through her from her fingertips to her toes. “Just dream.” She continued to spread the oil, her strong hands massaging each and every tense muscle that came under her exploring fingers.
After her skin was oiled and her hair arranged in damp curls, the twins offered up a final gift, something Dani immediately recognized from her own studies of ancient Greece, a chiton. A kind of tunic fashioned from two rectangles of fabric, it fastened together along the shoulder and arms, then belted at the waist.
Eros Island Page 20